Hands on Hubbardston raises $25,000 to fight cancer

People in a small Ionia County community raised big bucks to fight a battle against "a hellish disease": cancer.

About 50 people gathered outside Shiels Tavern Saturday afternoon to present a check for $25,000 to American Cancer Society representative Alexandra Wiley, associate director of ACS's northwest Michigan office, from Hands on Hubbardston.

"It was absolutely incredible, truly inspiring, to see all these people there for the check presentation and see how excited they were to be part of it," said Wiley. "Their generosity will allow us to provide our programs and services to the community."

Wiley noted that she was especially impressed that a small community raised such a substantial amount of money.

"Members of community have been so supportive," she said. "It's incredible when a community comes together to share a passion to find a cure for cancer. Three hundred and 95 make such an unbelievable impact."

Wiley said among the programs that will benefit from the funds raised by Hands on Hubbardston include Grand Rapids Hope Lodge, a facility where any out-of-town cancer patient and a caregiver can stay free of charge during cancer treatment; the Road to Recovery program, which provides free rides to treatment if a cancer patient is without a support network; the toll-free telephone number, staffed around the clock by a trained specialist; and the website.

"Lo and behold, two members of the community are staying at Hope Lodge right now," Wiley said. "It was a great opportunity to show them that every penny does count."

Scott Schmitt said when Hands on Hubbardston was formed in January, he and other organizers decided to dedicate fundraising efforts to fighting cancer and finding a cure.

"Everybody here has been affected by this hellish disease," he said. "We asked the question, 'Do you know anybody who has not been affected?' It hits home to everybody."

Schmitt said early on, someone threw out the amount of $25,000 as the proposed goal for the first year.

"It was tongue-in-cheek. We thought OK, it's a number. Let's go for it," he said. "The overwhelming support we received from Hubbardston and surrounding communities was flat-out overwhelming."Major events held this year included an acoustic concert in March; and Hubbapalooza 2012, a day-long festival with a softball tournament, cancer walk, music and food. Smaller events like Cans for Cancer and a bake sale, plus donations from people running unrelated events who just liked what Hands on Hubbardston was doing made the thermometer board climb.

"It was one thing right after another. We had the support of our local business, and everybody was donating time," said Schmitt. "We were sitting on $20,000 just shortly after the (Hubbapalooza) event. Unsolicited donations were flabbergasting."

Schmitt said with the holidays coming, organizers are taking a breather and will regroup in January to plan next year's events. Fighting cancer is still a battle to be fought. But before they adjourned their efforts, they are sponsoring one more fundraiser: to collect $6,000 to send a local 6-year-old recently diagnosed with muscular dystrophy to Disney World with his family. The generous Hubbardston community has again stepped forward and all but $500 is left to reach that goal.

"Cancer is our primary focus, but doing this campaign for Mason is what we are meant to do: raise money for someone in need," Schmitt said.

The list of thank-yous is "a mile long," Schmitt said. "It is humbling. It's not just me. There are 20 of us. But it's not just the 20 of us – it's the 395. Everybody can feel good about this. Anything can be accomplished, as long as no one cares who gets the credit. I'll never forget that conversation around the table (setting the goal at $25,000). "

"Around the time of year when we give thanks for so many things, I am so thankful to be part of this incredible effort," said Wiley. "(This gift) means saving lives."

Watch a video of Saturday's presentation at www.facebook.com/HandsonHubbardston. For more information about Hands on Hubbardston and its Mason to Mickey campaign, visit www.handsonhubbardston.org. To learn more about Hope Lodge, visit www.cancer.org/treatment/supportprogramsservices/hopelodge/grandrapids/index.